Untitled Flashcards Set

Absolute Poverty

A measure of poverty using a fixed threshold, such as the Federal Poverty Line (FPL).

Relative Poverty

A measure of poverty comparing income to societal norms, often defined as earning less than 50% of the median income.

Federal Poverty Line (FPL)

The FPL is based on the cost of a minimal diet multiplied by three, originally accounting for food as one-third of a household's expenses.

200% of the FPL

Earning twice the Federal Poverty Line, important for defining low-income households at economic risk.

Limitations of the FPL

Fails to account for modern costs like healthcare and childcare or geographic differences in expenses.

Wealth

Accumulated assets such as property and investments; differs from regular earnings known as income.

Income

Regular earnings received by an individual, which can be compared to wealth.

Class Privilege

Advantages individuals have due to their socioeconomic status, including access to better education and healthcare.

Wealth Distribution in the U.S.

The top 1% owns a disproportionate share of wealth, while many Americans hold minimal wealth compared to income.

Social Classes in the U.S.

Common classes identified are lower, middle, and upper, defined by income, education, and occupation.

Disproportionate Poverty

Refers to minority groups and non-citizens experiencing higher poverty rates than their population size would suggest.

Education and Poverty

Education can reduce poverty by enhancing skills and earnings but also reinforces inequality due to unequal access.

End of Poverty Documentary

Argues that colonialism and neocolonialism exploit the Global South to benefit the Global North, perpetuating poverty.

Individual-Level Causes of Poverty

Factors such as lack of education, poor health, and low motivation that contribute to personal economic hardship.

Structural Causes of Poverty

Include economic systems, wage stagnation, segregation, and inequitable access to resources and education.

Residential Segregation and Poverty

Segregation isolates minority groups, limiting access to quality jobs and education.

American Apartheid

A work by Massey & Denton explaining how enforced segregation creates enduring racial and economic disparities.

Redlining Consequences

Prevented minority groups from buying homes in desirable areas, hindering wealth accumulation.

Index of Dissimilarity

Measures the degree of segregation between two demographic groups in a geographic area.

Inequality for All Documentary

Discusses how globalization, declining wages, tax policies, and reduced investment contribute to income inequality.

Education System and Class Gaps

Unequal funding and systemic biases in education widen class achievement gaps.

How does the FPL compare to New York State minimum wage and Buffalo's cost of living?

The FPL often underestimates poverty in high-cost areas like Buffalo and NYC, where basic expenses surpass the poverty threshold.